Council forum focuses on business, riverfront

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer

Tuesday

Jul 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM

NORTHPORT | Bringing new businesses to Northport and the development of the city's riverfront are two of the top issues facing Northport, City Council candidates said during a candidate forum Monday night.

NORTHPORT | Bringing new businesses to Northport and the development of the city's riverfront are two of the top issues facing Northport, City Council candidates said during a candidate forum Monday night. According to the candidates, the city's future depends on what happens to bring more people and more businesses to the city. “With the development of the riverfront, we've seen promise after promise that have not come to fruition,” said Northport City Council District 3 candidate Chuck Gerdau. “This is our jewel.” During the past 15 years, the riverfront has seen several plans. During the past eight years, there have been at least three plans for development. The most recent plan, which was to bring a Hampton Inn and Suites to the end of Main Avenue, was supposed to start construction in 2011, but work has not started. “Time's a wasting, and you do what you have to do to get it done, to make it happen, because it's important to Northport,” said District 4 candidate Tyrone Alexander. But according to the current City Council members, there's not much the city can do to push development in the area. “The riverfront property is an issue for the city and it has been for years,” said Steve Acker, the incumbent council candidate for District 4. “The city is not in the development business and it never has been. That property is private property, and we can't say we'll develop it next year.” Instead, Acker said the city has done everything it can to promote and encourage development along the river. “I agree. It's hard to put a timetable on that because you really can't,” said incumbent Bart Harper of District 5. Emanuel Jenkins, a candidate for District 2, said it is important to involve the community in cleaning up blighted area to attract businesses throughout the city. “Why should a company invest in an area that is promising things without showing promise?” he asked. Gerdau suggested the city develop “trade zones” around Northport and create a concierge position at city hall to cater to potential developers.Woodrow Washington, a candidate for District 4, said development will come but more should be done to promote the city's benefits, including its proximity to the University of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. “You have to squeeze everything you can out of that environment,” Washington said. Jeff Thompson, a candidate for District 1, said Northport has several areas ripe for development and the city just has to “bring the jobs in.”“I think the city is at the point where we have so much room to grow,” he said. Several candidates mentioned the need for beautification in the city, including downtown and other major thoroughfares. Alexander said the city could start with “little things” like flowers and beautifying city thoroughfares. “We need to pave our streets and beautify,” Alexander said. “People will come, let's do the little things first.”District 1 candidate Judy Hayes also suggested the city do some beautification near the bridge and that the city should work to remove junk cars in yards.District 3 Candidate Rodney Sullivan said the city should focus on repairing roads and improving the upkeep of roadsides. Council District 2 incumbent Jay Logan suggested the city work on an incentive plan to entice business owners to improve existing buildings and make old shopping centers more attractive. Ultimately, it's about ensuring that the city is financially sound so that the city can improve the quality of life, including improving the schools and increasing funds for parks and recreation, Acker said. “Rooftops is the way to get new businesses, and the way to get more rooftops is to improve the quality of life,” he said. The City Council candidates forum was sponsored by the Northport Advisory Board of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. The Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a similar forum for the mayoral candidates on Monday, Aug. 13, at the Northport Civic Center.